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Cotton Court Hosts Combined Authorities and Devolution Event

March 3, 2020 By Amy BlundellComments Off on Cotton Court Hosts Combined Authorities and Devolution Event

On Wednesday 26th February, we hosted the Downtown in Business Leader’s Lunch with Geoff Driver CBE, Leader of Lancashire County Council and welcomed some prominent business figures from across Lancashire.

Cllr Driver and Frank McKenna discussed a variety of issues, and centred around Combined Authorities and devolution and the need for councils within Lancashire to work together to overcome challenges that the devolution agenda may bring.

The County Council has a £1.5 billion expenditure each year, Cllr Driver also discussed a key challenge for the region is developing the economy and it is down to the local business leaders to help to drive that agenda forward. Since the current leaders came into power 4 years ago, the £200 million deficit has reduced.

As well as the Combined Authority, Cllr Driver also discussed Lancashire’s role in the Northern Powerhouse. He also shared candidly his thoughts and opinions on a variety of topics during a Q&A session with the audience.

Downtown CEO, Frank McKenna said; “It was great to hear Geoff Driver today talking about an issue that has dominated the discussion for a number of years in Lancashire. It finally appears that progress is being made.

“I would like to thank Geoff for taking the time to be with us today and for today’s audience for making today’s event an incredibly interesting and thoughtful discussion. There were some fantastic comments and contributions from some of the leading business personalities in the region.”